Portable threading machine



Oct. 1963 c. 1. WILLIAMS 3, 8

PORTABLE} THREADING MACHINE Filed June 6, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l F/gZ CHESTER l. WILLIAMS INVENTOR.

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Oct. 22, 1963 c. l. WILLIAMS 3,107,558

PORTABLE THREADING MACHINE Filed June 6, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 O 30 as 37 I 7' T I" 44' F M "I! H LLQLS INVENTOR: CHESTER l. WILLIAMS -BY United States Patent Ofiice Patented Oct. 22, 1963 3,107,558 PORTABLE THREADING MACHINE Chester I. Williams, 347 Green Briar SE., Grand Rapids, Mich. Filed June 6, 1960, Ser. No. 34,226 2 Claims. (Cl. 80-6) This invention relates to the construction of screwthreading machinery. This general type of equipment is not new, and the preferred form of the invention has been developed for the formation of rolled threads. This manner of threading is widely used where it is desired to apply a screw thread to a rod without seriously weakening the rod. It is characteristic of cut threads that a considerable amount of the cross-section of the rod is removed in a formation of the thread system, a common example of this condition being found in the usual pipe threads. Rolled threads, on the other hand, do not actually remove the material of the rod. Threading rollers are moved around the rod in a helical path under tremendous pressure, with the effect that the material of the rod is gradually displaced to form a groove. The threaded diameter exceeds the diameter of the unthreaded portion of the rod because of the tendency of the material to fiow outwardly as a result of the displacement caused by the rollers. It is characteristic of the behavior of steel and other metals that cold-working will increase the hardness of the material, and will therefore bring the material closer to its ultimate strength. This factor, together with the tendency of the grain of the metal to conform to the threading, results in the maintenance of the strength of the unthreaded portion of the rod throughout the threaded portion. Standard threading dies, or heads, for creating both out and rolled threads are readily available, and it is common practice to in-;

corporate in these dies a mechanism for releasing the die when the relative axial movement of the threaded piece and the die is halted. The preferred form of this invention utilizes this type of die, and provides auxiliary equipment for obtaining the maximum utility from such a device.

Existing thread-rolling equipment has a tendency to be heavy because of the extremely high pressures involved, and the consequent high torque required. This is particularly so in the case of threading rods of unusually hard material. On construction projects involving poured concrete, it is customary to use rods that are severely cold-worked in order to bring the yield point of the rods as close as is practical to the ultimate strength. This is due to the fact that the rod loses its usefulness as a reinforcement as soon as it begins to' stretch to a permanent set. There are an endless number of occasions when it is desirable to apply a threading to a rod such as this on the spot in construction projects. Many of the rods used in this work are of non-standard length, and are cut to the particular length required by the job on installation. Threading makes possible the application of certain types of fittings and couplings, but heretofore the ditficulty of threading in the field has limited the use of this type of connection. It has proven to be impractical to handle available threading equipment in the locations which are commonly encountered. The present invention provides an easily portable machine for performing this function.

In general terms, the machine includes a motor coupled with a gear box to provide high-torque and low-speeed rotation for driving the threading die. The motor itself may be of any available type, either electric, air-driven, or even a combustion engine. may be considered to include the motor and the gearing) is mounted on a frame which includes a guideway supporting a carrier capable of sliding movement toward The power unit (which and away from the motor in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the threading die. The carrier contains a clamp for holding the workpiece, and the machine also includes a mechanism for applying the necessary engaging force to induce the entrance of the workpiece into the die. An adjustable disengaging device is also incorporated in the machine for controlling the axial length of the threaded portion of the workpiece. The several features of the invention will be analyzed in detail through a discussion of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 presents a plan view of a machine embodying this invention.

FIGURE 2 presents an end elevation of the device shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of the carriage portion of the machine, on a slightly enlarged scale from that of FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a section on the plane 44 of FIG- URE 2.

The threading machine illustrated in the drawings includes a frame based upon the angle rails 10 and 11. An end plate 12 is preferably welded to the rails, and the transverse central plate 13 may be secured in similar fashion. The power unit generally indicated at 14 includes an electric motor occupying the portion generally indicated at 15 and a built-in gear box in the area identia fied at 16. A coupling 17 connects the output shaft of the power unit 14 to the threading die 18.

The rods 19 and 20 are supported at their opposite ends, respectively, by the end plate 12 and the central transverse plate 13. These rods are parallel, and are also parallel to the axis of rotation of the threading die 18. The rods form a guideway for the movement of the carrier 21. The carrier is preferably in the form of a channel in cross-section, which includes the horizontal back 22 (which forms the top of the carrier) and the parallel vertical legs 23 and 24, each of these having suitable apertures for slidably receiving the rods 19 and 20, respectively. I

A V-lblock 25 rests on the top 22 of the carrier, and has a groove positioned coaxially with the axis of rotation of the threading die 18. The function of this groove is to locate the workpiece 26 properly for entrance into the threading die, the workpiece being clamped in position by the clamping bolt 27 having the offset handle 28 to facilitate the tightening required to prevent rotation of the workpiece 26 as it is operated upon by the threading die. The bolt 27 is in threaded engagement with the a'butment 29, which is fixed with respect to the carrier 21 preferably 'by welding.

An arrangement is provided for accurately adjustingthe. position of the V-block 25 so that it will properly conform to the axis of rotation of the threading die 18. A wall 30 is preferably welded to the top 22 of the carri-age, and provides threaded engagement for the horizontal positioning bolts 31 and 32, the inner ends of which bear against the back of the .V-block 25. The vertical position of the block 25 can be altered through the use of shims placed between the V-block 25 and the top 22 of the carriage, and the combination of this adjustment with the locating elfects of the bolts 31 and 32 can be selected to establish the desired position of the block to properly align the workpiece 26. When this position has been established, the clamping bolts 33 and 34 can be tightened, which secures the V-block 25 under the clamping plate 35.

To prevent the inseration of a workpiece 26 of excessive diameter, it is preferable to incorporate the go gage 36 in the structure. This gage is provided with a carefully-machined hole through which the workpiece extends, the size of this hole being selected to represent the maximum which should be permitted to enter the threaded die 18. The gage 36 is preferably engular in form, with the leg 57 being provided with suitable apertures to fairly loosely receive the bolts 31 and 32. It is preferable that the gage member 36 be permitted a certain degree of freedom of movement with respect to the V- block to avoid any inconsistency in the position of the closely-fitting aperture through which the workpieces must extend, and the locating effect of the V-block. The gage member is therefore not securely fastened in position, but is permitted to move slightly to align itself with the clamped position of the workpiece 26. If desired, another hole may be incorporated in the frame of the machine, or in an auxiliary gage piece which can be secured to the end plate 12, for establishing a no go gage. A workpiece could then be applied to the no go, and if it passed through it, should then be set aside and not used. A rod which was stopped by the no go could then be positioned through the go gage 36, and if readily received therein, clamped by the bolt 27.

To facilitate starting the workpiece into the die 18, the lever 37 is pivotally mounted on the stud 38 secured to the wall of the carriage 21. The lever 37 has a lower extension 39 which can abut the inner end of the bolt 40 engaging the end plate 12. The adjusted position of the bolt 40 is locked by the nut 41, and the position of the bolt is selected at whatever point may be desired to provide an abutment against which the lower end 39 of the lever may act to provide a starting force for engaging the workpiece. The lever 37 extends through a suitable opening in the top 22 of the carriage 21.

As the workpiece engages the rotating die 18, the carriage 21 is progressively drawn toward the die. It is characteristic of the conventional threading die 18 that the interference with this relative axial movement of the workpiece with respect to the die will result in release of the threading mechanism. The length of the threaded portion of the rod is therefore determined by the point at which this relative axial movement is halted. This function is performed through the functioning of the threaded rod 42, which is preferably fixed with respect to the carriage 21, and moves freely through a suitable hole in the end plate 12. The pair of nuts 43 and 44 form an adjustable abutment Which establishes the limit position of the movement of the carriage 21 to the right as shown in FIGURES 1, 3, and 4. As soon as the nut 43 contacts the plate 12, the axial movement of the Workpiece 26 is halted. This condition automatically results in the release of the workpiece by the threading die 18, and the carriage may then be withdrawn manually to the left into the position shown in FIGURE 3. The chuck is then re-set by manipulation of the lever 45 which controls the band 46, both of these latter components being a part of the conventional die mechanism. The band 46 is engaged with the rod 19, and the tightening of the handle 45 causes the band to operate as a brake and induce relative rotation of the components of the threading die to perform the reset function.

Preferably, the handle 47 is incorporated in the machine at a point directly above the center of gravity. It is connected to the rails 10 and 11 by the straps 49 and 49, which are preferably welded in place. To accommodate cases in which it is desirable to move a machine to a branch or supporting surface, the feet 5053 are provided. The details of the mounting arrangement can be altered to suit the particular needs of the user.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. A portable threading machine, comprising: a frame; motor means mounted on said frame and including a rotary driving shaft; a threading head mounted on said shaft; guideway means secured to said frame and establishing a path of movement parallel to the axis of rotation of said drive shaft; carrier means movably mounted on said guideway; vise means mounted on said carrier means and adapted to clamp workpiece rods in a position substantially coaxial with said driving shaft, said vise means including a V-block supported on said carrier, a plate superimposed over said V-block, means urging said plate toward said carrier to secure the position of said V-block, a pair of parallel bolts engaging said V-block and said carrier for adjustably positioning said V-block laterally under said plate to align the axis of the said V-block, and also including clamping means on said carrier for holding workpieces against said V-block, and an angle member having apertures in one leg thereof loosely receiving said parallel bolts in said apertures, and having a gage hole in the other leg thereof disposed opposite the end of said V-block; and engaging means for urging said carriage toward said head, said engaging means including a pivoted lever mounted on said carriage, and also including a member normally fixed with respect to said frame in a position for engagement with a port-ion of said lever to generate forces for movement of said carriage.

2. A portable threading machine, comprising: a frame; motor means mounted on said frame and including a rotary driving shaft; a threading head mounted on said shaft; guideway means secured to said frame and establishing a path of movement parallel to the axis of rotation of said drive shaft; carrier means movably mounted on said guideway; vise means mounted on said carrier means and adapted to clamp workpiece rods in a position substantially coaxial with said driving shaft, said vise means including a V-block supported on said carrier, a plate superimposed over said V-block, means urging said plate toward said carrier to secure the position of said V-block, a pair of parallel bolts engaging said V-block and said carrier for adjustably positioning said V-block laterally under said plate to align the axis of the said V-block, and also including clamping means on said carrier for engaging workpieces against said V-block, and an angle member having apertures in one leg thereof loosely receiving said parallel bolts in said apertures, and having a gage hole in the other leg thereof disposed opposite the end of said V-block; stop means limiting the movement of said carriage toward said head; and engaging means for urging said carriage toward said head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 893,875 Schneider July 21, 1908 1,477,219 Halvorsen Dec. 11, 1923 1,610,198 Burch Dec. 7, 1926 1,784,298 Mahan et al Dec. 9, 1930 2,499,970 Reimschissel Mar. 7, 1950 2,720,801 Erdelyi et al. Oct. 18, 1955 3,029,489 Nelson Apr. 17, 1962 OTHER REFERENCES Beaver Model E Pipe and Bolt Machine, Beaver Pipe Tools C0,, 312 Dana Avenue, Warren, Ohio, 4

pages. 

1. A PORTABLE THREADING MACHINE, COMPRISING: A FRAME; MOTOR MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND INCLUDING A ROTARY DRIVING SHAFT; A THREADING HEAD MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT; GUIDEWAY MEANS SECURED TO SAID FRAME AND ESTABLISHING A PATH OF MOVEMENT PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID DRIVE SHAFT; CARRIER MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDEWAY; VISE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIER MEANS AND ADAPTED TO CLAMP WORKPIECE RODS IN POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY COAXIAL WITH SAID DRIVING SHAFT, SAID VISE MEANS INCLUDING A V-BLOCK SUPPORTED ON SAID CARRIER, A PLATE SUPERIMPOSED OVER SAID V-BLOCK, MEANS URGING SAID PLATE TOWARD SAID CARRIER TO SECURE THE POSITION OF SAID V-BLOCK, A PAIR OF PARALLEL BOLTS ENGAGING SAID V-BLOCK AND SAID CARRIER FOR ADJUSTABLY POSITIONING SAID V-BLOCK LATERALLY UNDER SAID PLATE TO ALIGN THE AXIS OF THE SAID V-BLOCK, AND ALSO INCLUDING CLAMPING MEANS ON SAID CARRIER FOR HOLDING WORKPIECES AGAINST SAID V-BLOCK, AND AN ANGLE MEMBER HAVING APERTURES IN ONE LEG THEREOF LOOSELY RECEIVING SAID PARALLEL BOLTS IN SAID APERTURES, AND HAVING A GAGE HOLE IN THE OTHER LEG THEREOF DISPOSED OPPOSITE THE END OF SAID V-BLOCK; AND ENGAGING MEANS FOR URGING SAID CARRIAGE TOWARD SAID HEAD, SAID ENGAGING MEANS INCLUDING A PIVOTED LEVER MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE, AND ALSO INCLUDING A MEMBER NORMALLY FIXED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME IN A POSITION FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A PORTION OF SAID LEVER TO GENERATE FORCES FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIAGE. 